Relaxation and meditation pillow

ABSTRACT

A relaxation and meditation pillow includes a base and a cradle portion. The base has front, rear, left and right sides, a bottom surface and a top surface. The top surface has a central depression configured to cradle back of a user&#39;s head. A cradle portion is connected to a top surface of the base. The cradle portion has a horseshoe shape and is spaced around a portion of the central depression of the base. In use, a user may lie their head on the base with the back of their head in the central depression and the cradle portion covering a portion of the top and sides of the user&#39;s the head and user&#39;s ears to enhance relaxation and meditation during yoga and other, similar activities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present patent document relates generally to pillows and more particularly to a pillow designed to enhance the practice of pratyahara (drawing the senses inward) during savasana (a reclining yoga relaxation/meditation).

2. Background of the Related Art

The practice of relaxation is an important and integral part of a complete yoga practice. So many students, as well as long time yoga practitioners and instructors, can struggle either initially, or periodically during times of stress, in achieving true relaxation. The body may rest, but the mind may remain stubbornly active. Sensory input from the world continuing to go on around the person while the person attempts to relax may prove to be too distracting to fully enjoy the benefits of a full relaxation. Therefore, there is a perceived need for a device to aid the user in achieving full relaxation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The relaxation and meditation pillow is designed to support the head and neck in a neutral position, apply gentle pressure to the Gates of Consciousness (i.e. acupressure points), assisting in relaxing the brain to allow rest (relaxation), and/or to increase focus (in the case of meditation). The pillow is also constructed to gently hug the head and edges of the face, promoting a feeling of comfort and safety, as well as reducing sensory input from the surrounding environment. Combined with the specially designed cover, the semi-rigid construction of the pillow can be easily maintained for years of use, if used in the manner for which it was designed.

Among the advantages of the pillow is the provision to assist/support all yoga practitioners of any level in enhancing pratyahara, meditation and full relaxation.

Yet another advantage of the pillow described herein is the provision to provide a yoga support device that is light-weight and portable that can be brought to any yoga practice, as well as used at home.

Yet another advantage of the pillow is the provision for a yoga support device that is easy to use and does not require the user to remember how to place the support, or how to arrange blankets, rolled towels, etc.

And, yet another advantage of the pillow is the provision for a yoga support that is durable and easy to maintain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a top, front perspective view of the pillow;

FIG. 2 is front elevation view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a right-side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a partially-exploded view showing the separation of the top pillow from the bottom pillow;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section view through line 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section view through line 8-8 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9a is a cross-section view through line 9 a-9 a of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9b is a cross-section view through line 9 b-9 b of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a left-side elevation view illustrating the pillow in use;

FIG. 11 is a top, right, front perspective view of the pillow with a decorative outer casing thereon;

FIG. 12 is a partial, right-side perspective view illustrating a pocket on the decorative outer casing of the pillow; and

FIG. 13 is a partial, left-side perspective view illustrating a charm attached to the decorative out case of the pillow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1-13, a relaxation and meditation pillow 10 includes a base 12 and a cradle portion 14. The base 12 has front, rear, left and right sides, a bottom surface and a top surface. The top surface has a central depression 16 configured to cradle back of a user's head. The central depression 16 may be a padded well. The base of the pillow 10 provides the basic head support, and hugs the back of the head. An inner collar 15 may extend upwards from the top surface of the base and around a portion of the central depression 16.

The cradle portion 14 is connected to a top surface of the base 12. The cradle portion 14 has a horseshoe shape and, when connected to the base 12, the cradle portion 14 is spaced around a portion of the central depression 16 of the base 12. In use, a user may lie their head on the base 14 with the back of their head in the central depression 16 and the cradle portion 12 covering a portion of the top and sides of the user's the head and user's ears, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 6, the relaxation and meditation pillow 10 may be constructed in two detachable pieces. Fasteners 18, such as hook and loop fasteners, may be used to connect the base 12 and cradle portion 14 together. Other fasteners may be used, such as zippers, buttons, snaps, for example.

The cradle portion 14 may be triangular or horseshoe shaped, with the free ends close together or touching. Because the cradle portion is soft and flexible, the free ends may be parted. In use, the cradle portion 14 of the pillow hugs the head (the crown and sides) and provides reduction of sensory input from surrounding environmental noise (best seen in FIG. 10).

As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the base 12 of the pillow 10 may include an internal structure comprising an inner stiffening portion 20 a and an outer stiffening portion 20 b arranged around the inner stiffening portion 20 a. In one embodiment, the base 12 may be constructed with flexible foam piping forming the inner and outer stiffening portions 20 a, 20 b, and a soft filler material 21 such as upholstery fiber cushioning and/or soft fiber fill, filling the remainder of the base. In another embodiment, the base 12 may include inner and outer stiffening portions 20 a, 20 b formed from foam or layers of foam of different densities and contours to provide the shape and support of the central depression 16.

The inner stiffening portion 20 a may include upwardly projecting formations 23 adjacent to the central depression. The formations 23 are configured to apply gentle pressure to acupressure point locations GB 20, below the base of the skull, in the hollows on both sides of the neck, between the two vertical neck muscles. Below the occipital ridge between the “traps” (trapezius) and other neck (sternocleidomastoid) muscles a pair of spaced-apart, large hollows are underneath the skull bone.

The cradle portion 14 may be filled with soft fiber fill as well or made from foam or layers of foam. Foam used may also be shredded into chunks for use as filler material 21. The base 12 and cradle portion 14 of the pillow 10 may be encased in cloth, such as a plain muslin material, for example.

Because the cradle portion 14 is basically a specific-shaped pillow, it can be washed, if necessary; however, minimizing the number of times it is washed will increase its durability.

Referring to FIGS. 11-13, the pillow 10 may further include an outer cover 22 or sleeve, which pulls over base 12 and cradle portion 14, encasing them. The cover 22 may include decorative and/or colorful prints. The outer cover 22 may include a small pocket 24 at each side, best seen in FIG. 12. The pockets 24 may be used to hold a small piece of scented felt 26 or potpourri packet that provides additional therapeutic and relaxation effects to the user through scent, also called aroma-therapy.

Referring to FIG. 13, on one end, a small metal D-loop 28 may be included, to which a small charm 30 on a toggle clasp 32 may be attached. The charm 30 is removable for washing purposes. The charm 30 provides decorative and meditative functions for the user.

Therefore, it can be seen that the present invention provides a unique solution to the problem of providing an aid to enhance relaxation and meditation during yoga and other similar activities. The pillow provides head neck support through the base, and the unique cradle portion attached to the base provides a feeling of comfort and safety by gently wrapping about the sides of a user's head and face.

It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be within the scope of the present invention except as limited by the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A pillow, comprising: a base, the base having front, rear, left and right sides, a bottom surface and a top surface, the top surface having a central depression configured to cradle back of a user's head; and a cradle portion connected to a top surface of the base, the cradle portion having a horseshoe shape, wherein the cradle portion is spaced around a portion of the central depression of the base; whereby a user may lie their head on the base with the back of their head in the central depression and the cradle portion covering a portion of the top and sides of the user's the head and user's ears.
 2. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the base comprises an inner stiffening portion.
 3. The pillow of claim 2, wherein the inner stiffening portion is horseshoe shaped.
 4. The pillow of claim 1, further comprising upwardly projecting formations adjacent to the central depression, the formations configured and arranged to apply gentle pressure to acupressure point locations GB 20, below the base of the skull or a person resting their head on the base.
 5. The pillow of claim 2, wherein the base comprises an outer stiffening portion positioned about the inner stiffening portion.
 6. The pillow of claim 5, wherein the outer stiffening portion is horseshoe shaped.
 7. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the cradle portion is removable from the base.
 8. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the cradle portion is connected to the base with fasteners.
 9. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the fasteners are selected from the group consisting essentially of zippers, hook-and-loop, buttons, and snaps.
 10. The pillow of claim 1, further comprising an outer casing configured and arranged to enclose the base and cradle portion, together.
 11. The pillow of claim 10, further comprising a pocket formed on the casing.
 12. The pillow of claim 10, further comprising an attachment point connected to the outer casing.
 13. The pillow of claim 12, further comprising a charm attached to the attachment point.
 14. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises an inner collar extending upwards from the top surface, around a portion of the central depression.
 15. A pillow, comprising: a base, the base having front, rear, left and right sides, a bottom surface and a top surface, the top surface having a central depression configured to cradle back of a user's head; and upwardly projecting formations adjacent to the central depression, the formations configured and arranged to apply gentle pressure to acupressure point locations GB 20, below the base of the skull or a person resting their head on the base.
 16. The pillow of claim 15 further comprising a cradle portion connected to a top surface of the base, the cradle portion having a horseshoe shape, wherein the cradle portion is spaced around a portion of the central depression of the base, wherein the cradle portion covers a portion of the top and sides of the user's head and user's ears when lying their head in the cradle portion of the base.
 17. The pillow of claim 16, wherein the cradle portion is removable from the base.
 18. The pillow of claim 16, wherein the cradle portion is connected to the base with fasteners.
 19. The pillow of claim 15, wherein the base comprises an inner stiffening portion.
 20. The pillow of claim 17, wherein the inner stiffening portion is horseshoe shaped. 